Watchman&#39;s delinquency alarm



Dec. 11, 1928. l 1,695,092

' E. F. GEIGER WATCHMANS DELINQUENCY ALARM Filed April 4, 1.925

Patented Dec. '11, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD F. GEIGEB, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO INTERNATIONAL TIME BE- CORDING COMPANY OF NEW YORK, OF BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

WATCI-IMANS DELINQUENCY ALA RM.

Application flledApril 4, 1925. Serial No. 20,612.

' The present invention relates to a delin'quency signal system for watchmens time recording systems.

At the present time there are numerous in- 6 stallat-ions of watchmens recording systems which include a plurality of remotely located watchmensstations usually electrically connected to a recorder at a central oflicc. The

watchman making his rounds inserts his key at each station and thereby effects a record in the central recorder which designates the time of making a record, the station number and other like data.

The present invention is directed to the provision of a simple signal device which will give a suitable alarm which may be visual or audible or both in the event that the watchman has delayedover a determined time interval in turning ina report from any of a plurality of stations.

' It has for its primary object the production of a system of the nature outlined which will be dependable in its operation and subject to very precise adjustment.

Further and other objects of the present invention will be pointed out hereinafter in the accompanying specification and claims and will be shown in the drawings which by way of illustration show one and a so preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the illustration, I have shown a general view of the indicating circuits in cooperative relation with the timing mechanism at a watchmans station.

These timing mechanisms are each enclosed within a recorder case 9 and are distributed along a route which the watchman is required to patrol. Each watchman is provided with a crank or key of special design which gives him access to the recorder and shaft 10 for the purpose' of recording his ap:

pearance and rotating the shaft. To shaft 1.0 is fastened cam 11 which strikes friction roller 12 on lever 13 every time the shaft is rotated. Lever 13 is rotatably mounted at one end to a shaft 14 and carries at its other end a stud for supporting the lower end of rod 15. Movement of lever 13 is transmitted to lever 16 which is loosely mounted on shaft 17 This lever is continuously urged downward by spring 18, but its rapid descent is prevented by the engagement of spring pressed pawl 19 carried thereon with ratchet .wheel 20 fixed to gear 21 andloosely mounted on shaft 17. Gear 21 drives pinion 22 which in turn operates gear 23 to actuate the escapelnent ratchet 24. Verge 25 is mounted on a spindle and is oscillated by pendulum 26 as is usual in clock mechanisms. It is apparent from the foregoing that the motive power for this timing mechanism is derived through spring 18 and that the spring is tensioned for continuous operation each time shaft 10 is rotated, The design of the timing mechanism bears a direct relation to the frequency of operation of each watchmans recorder, and any time controlling mechanism can be used.

Normally, during the watchman s tour of duty, a white light is apparent at the central station, but if he should fail to operate a particular recorder, indication thereof would be given in the nature of an audible signal or the burning of acolored light. The circuit illustrated is closed with the white light burning and the current is taken from main lines by feed wire 27 and thence flows through magnet 28, line 29, contact 30, line31, and to the source of power through feed line 32. Another branch-of current flows through armature 33, line 34, and illuminates light 35.

When contact 30 is broken, these two circuits are opened and current from feed line 27 flows through circuit 38 and causes bell 39 to ring and light-40 to glow. These signals will continue to be apparent until the watchman makes his appearance at the proper station and operates the recorder.

Contact 30 is placed so that it will be broken when lever 16 has descended below its allowed maximum which will occur a short time after the watchman should have reported. v It is also apparent that any interference such as severing the lines connecting the various stations with the Y central station would be immediately manifested by the bell and colored light or any other means for indicating the break in the main circuit.

All of contacts 30 may be placed in series along line 2931 so that theopening of any one will give the desired signal, but if the number of stations are few, or the interval between reports long, or the routes of great importance, it would probably be found to be more desirable to have individual signaling circuits for each station.

What I claim is:

1. In a system of the class described, the combination of circuits which are continually excited under normal conditions, means in one of said circuits for indicating their condition, time controlled means in the other of said circuits for opening both of said circuits, means controlled by one of said circuits and said last named means for closing a third circuit, and indicating means in said third circuit to indicate the condition thereof.

2. In a system of the class described, the combination of circuits which are continually excited under normal conditions, a. circuit subject to be closed when said first named cirsuits are opened, time controlled means for opening said first named circuits, and indicating means affected by the excitation of said circuits to indicate which of said circuits are closed.

3. In a system of the class described, the combination of indicating means and a circuit for energizing the same, another circuit to.

maintain said first named circuit closed, time controlled means for opening said latter circu1t, and a third circuit automatically closed at the operation of said time controlled means for energizing a signal.

4. In a system of the class described, the combination of a plurality of signaling means, circuits for energizing the same, time controlled means for automatically selectively determining which of said signaling means shall be energized before and after a predetermined time, and a Watchmans recorder connected with said time controlled means for dered inoperative and manually controlled means for suspending the operation of said time controlled mechanism until the expiration of a further period of time.

6. In a watchmans signaling system, a normally operative signal, time controlled mechanism for rendering said signal inoperative at the expiration of a predetermined period of time, a second signal, means for automatically rendering said second signal operative upon said first signal being rendered inoperative and key controlled means for suspending the operation of said time controlled mechanism until the expiration of a further period of time.

7. Ina watchmans si naling system, a normally operatii e signa a second signal normally inoperative, a relay for controlling the operation of said signals, time controlled -mechanism for operating said relay at the expiration of a predetermined period of time and key controlled means for suspending the operation of said time controlled mechanism until the expiration of a further period of time.

In testimony whereof I hereto alfix my signature.

EDWARD F. GEIGER. 

